Addict + Biopsy = Relapse(?)

[Chris Wolf]

Hi all My Pals!

I am new here, I am a recovered Heroin & everything else addict and alcoholic.  I am faced with picking from these three choices:

1) Get biopsy, then from results do 2 or 3.

2) Start treatment.

3) Don't start treament, monitor w\blood tests & try to live healthier.

The problem though is that during the biopsy, they sedate the patient.  My Doc said they give Demarol & a Liquid Valium.  I am REALLY not into feeling IV narcotics since its been over 5 years with no cravings.  I am afraid that the sedation could trigger my disease again & I will die a LOT quicker from dope than Hep C!!!

Anoyone with ideas or experience on this , I would love some input!!!

Thanks & God Bless;

Your Pal Wolfie

[richard]

Hey I 'm Richard
Did a biopsy in Nov.
I have same kind of background as you with the Heroine.
There was no euphoria from the drugs they gave me for the biopsy.Thats all I can say.
Good luck
Richard
 

[Dude]

Hi Wolfie, welcome back Bro. I understand your fears, but don't worry, the sedation is localized in your side. At least that's what it's supposed to be. Tell the doctor you want no IV sedation of any type, and be open about it... tell him what you just told us.

My "sedation" I think was no sedation at all. I felt a prick and no numbness. I did feel the biopsy, and my case was not the norm. Usually it is relatively pain free, or just a slight pricking sensation, from what I've read of others experiences here.

So the big thing is to talk to the dude who administers the biopsy. Tell him that you will absolutely not accept any IV drugs, no matter what. Better to be safe.

Take care, brother, and tell us how it goes.

God bless and keep you strong.

[hcvanon]

I am a recovering heroin addict and I have had a couple of heavy surgeries and painful recoveries—while in recovery.  I even got hooked on the pain pills taking them as prescribed.  I got hooked quick and I was jones-ing in four days.  I asked God to back me up and keep me strong -- it worked.  I really hate the way drugs mess me up -- loaded, tired, pissed off – don’t get me wrong my brain tells me it feels good – but I know that it is a lie.  I know where it will lead me – you just apply the principles of the program ask His help and get off them as soon as you can.  It was much easier to kick since I knew how to pray.

I really wonder how I got off the first time, very little faith if any, no coping skills, and the only thing I knew how to do was shoot dope, dodge cops, and make money.  I guess we say the only way I made it was by the grace of God.

You will be fine my friend!  Just remember it all – that is “total recall” and you will never trudge the path of dirty needles, dirty spoons, collapsed veins, cold concrete waiting to go to court, puking all night in a cold jail cell wondering how much time you were going to get this time -- pitiful and incomprehensible demoralization.  There is nothing to go back to – you can never go back to the blind ignorance and mindless tolerance.  That man died – thank God.

RIDIN THE MAINLINE—TRAIN TO NOWHERE

So now little man you’ve grown tired of grass, LSD, speed, cocaine, and hash—then someone pretending to be a true friend—says “I’ll introduce you to Miss Heroin.”

Well honey before you start fooling with me—
Just let me tell you of how it will be.

For I will seduce you and make you my slave—
I have sent men much stronger than you to their grave.

You will stat inhaling me one afternoon—
You’ll welcome me into your arm very soon.

You’ll rob and steal for my narcotic charm—
And feel content when I’m in your arm.

You’ll turn into something vile and corrupt—
You’ll swindle your mother just for a buck.

Because as you’ve been told—
I am more expensive that gold.

The day you realize the monster you’ve grown—
You’ll solemnly promise to leave me alone.

Well if you think you’ve got that mystical knack—
Just try getting me off you back.

Hot chills, cold sweets, and you’ll vomit a lot—
Your nerves jangling for one more shot.

You will run to the pusher one-more-time—
And welcome me back to into your main line.

In the warm illusion, I thought I could fly—
When all it had done—was taken away the sky.

You can marry a woman--and divorce your wife.

If you are married to H you are married for life.

The lie is dead -- we do recover.  15+ years clean and sober. One day at a time.

Glen

[Dick Barton]

Hi Chris,

I have no real experience of what you are going through just now. But, I do know about blood test - I'm insulin dependent diabetic and I test my blood 2/4 time s a day and I also inject myself 4 times a day.

Not that great really, your life being controlled by 6mm of metal that helps you live a 'normal' life...

Perhaps it's not much different from your addiction.

Anyway, I'm just wanting to let you know that blood tests are no big deal. Living Healthier is a piece of cake - I do mountain biking and lead a very active life...I eat what I want and I'm nowhere near my ideal weight (I'm 6'1" and weigh 11 stone 10 lbs - about 1 stone underweight for my built).

You can do it - I have strong beliefs on addiction and I truly believe that if you let something get to you then it will beat you - you are in control and you CAN make it work. Don't be scared of the unknown - it's unknown to you, but it's familiar ground to thousands of others - and from what I've read on this board, they are all keen to offer you support - don't be proud, accept help if it's offered, no-one wants you to fail.

Good Luck!

Richard.

[Pinky]

Hey friend... not to worry. The good news is that I hear honesty and fear. Without that my concern for you would be greater.

I am a recovered addict/alcoholic...iv meth, heroine... etc. I had 6 years and went splat and am now coming up on 6 years again.

What I find so many of us don't understand is the allergy and the obsession. Do you know about these two aspects of our disease? If not, email me and I'll give more detail.

Anyway... what gets triggered is the allergy in our body. If you are aware of it, have developed a capacity for honesty and are seeking a spiritual solution all should be well. Can't tell you that you won't feel the drug because our bodies have an abnormal reaction: the phenomonon of craving. You may recognize it by the symptom of wanting more or just feeling restless, irritable and discontent. However... knowing what goes on is a great help. There is nothing wrong with being honest about how you feel. It is a requirement! So, if you feel some want afterwards don't beat yourself up. It has nothing to do with you, it's the allergy. You can no more decide how you will control the result of taking an asprin anymore than you can with a medically necessary drug. Those who don't really get the allergy/obsession deal feel guilty when they actually feel that they want something. It's not your fault, you are not bad and not secretly wanting to use. It's your body doing what your body does.

I never had IV valium. Just a bit of demerol or something. Wasn't bad. A bit irritable afterward but no big deal.

PLEASE GET THIS!!! you will not relapse because you need a medical procedure. Don't listen to anyone who takes your inventory and tries to make you feel guilty.

What is really a trip is that I can inject my peg intron every Friday. I am a chronic late stage addict and here I am with a rig putting something in by body. It has made me cry a couple of times, remembering the hell I use to live. What is cool is that God has restored me to my right mind and that old life, the needle and all represents is dead. I really am a new creature.

Hang in there. Get support and hope you will report to us what the biopsy says. In two weeks I will go for my three month check up and am hoping to find no virus in my blood.

Best to you. Take care. Kimberly

[Patti]

Hi Wolfie,
When I had my biopsy done all the Dr. did was do the local anesthetic, made a small insicion, took 5 samples of liver tissue, I was put in the post op room, told to lay on my back and they brought me food, beverages and I watched TV for 4 hrs. while I was monitored in case clotting was a problem (which it wasn't). I felt no discomfort that a tylenol didn't take away. I had a friend pick me up at the hospital and we went out for lunch. I was very scared going into the proceedure because I didn't know what was going to happen, and I didn't have anyone with me. I must say that the staff at Enumclaw Hospital in Washington, treated me like a queen.  Good luck with you biopsy and if you have any questions drop me a line.
Love and Prayers
Patti

[Wolfie442]

WOW!!! Thanks all you guys!  I tried to reply last night to the first 3 great responses, but the server was full I guess, so it was unsuccessful.

Anyway, I appreciate everyones help.  Einstein said :
"The only knowledge is through experience",  so thanks for sharing yours, I am in info-gathering mode!

Check out this inspiring "coinicidence" that happened to me a few hours after I got my blood test info back from my Doctor last monday night:

My Doc told me I had 1.6 million count, type 1, 325 ALT, etc in the afternoon, so reality of "I REALLY HAVE IT!!!" was soaking in.  I hadn't yet discovered this web site, but I was thinking of who I knew in person from the program with HCV experience so I could begin to get some first-hand info.  

I went to the movie store in the early evening, and lo and behold inside was a guy named John N.  This was the first time I ever saw this guy there at the movie store, I go almost every day.  He has had aids for 10 years at least, hep b & c, and cancer.  He is famous around here for staying clean despite his rotten hand in the health category.  In an isolated corner of the store in privacy, I asked "Hey John, I just found out I got Hep C, and the Doc said treatment would probably be a good idea, what do you think?"

John: "Yeah, I did it a long time ago.  At the time, I thought it really kicked my ass, but then I did Chemo a few times and looking back the Interferon was a piece of cake"

Me:  "Wow . . OK . . so you would kind of recommend it?"

John: "Yeah,  if you need it, go for it. You asked the right guy.  I'm the King of that kind of shit!  It's not what I wanted to be, but I am. Call me anytime if you need to."

Me: "Kool, thanks!  See you around John"

John: "I'm afraid I'll be around, Wolfie!"
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Now I have help from you guys too . . "The right answers will come if your own house is in order"

Thaks & God Bless!!!!

Your Pal Wolfie

[BBP]

We love you and thank you for sharing,
all my love BBP.